Eberharter's Kitzbuehel

Stephan Eberharter: It is like that, the Streif bares its teeth and you can't let yourself be intimidated. Quite the opposite: You have to ski aggressively with plenty of focus and courage. You'll get the best results that way.

Eberharter: I fared a similar way to the young skiers today - I wasn't particularly happy. It took a while to get accustomed - it was only over the years that I made my peace with the "Streif" and even became fond of her. But for all those who are there for the first time in Kitzbuehel, it's a small shock when you chance a first glance out of the starthouse.

Eberharter: Yeah, that story is true. At that time I was the newcomer in the downhill team. The experienced Peter Wirnsberger wanted to intimidate me with this little "trick". He told me that the piste was "pretty bad" and that you "shouldn't go down it when it's not really necessary". A little later I went down it, despite all the warnings from a certain Peter Wirnsberger.

Eberharter: It's not just the run itself. Kitzbuehel is a legend. The flair and whole buzz around it play just as big a part. The social programme is a lot more extensive now and there are lots of parties. On top of that, a lot of celebrities visit the Hahnenkamm races. TV shows the showdown all over the world, which helps the sport gain popularity. There's also the whole challenge of the Streif: Whoever wins in "Kitz" is a big name in skiing.

Eberharter: They're very significant. As a successful skier you have to have won at least once in Kitzbuehel. I was fortunate enough to do it twice in the downhill. I can sense it from the reaction of the people, who will never forget my victory in 2004 when I blew away the rest of the competition by more than a second. I'm still being talked about today for that. A victory in Kitzbuehel is simply something special.

Eberharter: It's a long road to getting the self-confidence that allows you take a tighter and more brutal line, like the one I chose in 2004. The wealth of experience of the years in the World Cup plays a big part there.

Then you can't let yourself get rattled on external factors such as interruptions and falls. You just go your own way, try not to make any mistakes, concentrate on the job and not let things get on top of you. That will lead to success.

Eberharter: I've got two tips: My former teammate Fritz Strobl and U.S. boy Daron Rahlves.

KITZBÜHEL: All the latest news